Sterile Tray Seal Structure for Standard Sealer Compatibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional medical trays for storing devices with handles and long shafts are often too large for standard commercial sealers, necessitating specialized and costly equipment, which are cumbersome and expensive to manufacture and use.
Innovation Solution
A sterile container system comprising a tray with a seal structure and extension structure, allowing for the accommodation of medical devices with handles and shafts, where the seal structure includes components with grooves or threaded surfaces for secure sealing, and an extension structure with a sterile filter, enabling the use of standard sealers and maintaining sterility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If trays are made large enough to accommodate both handle and shaft in sterile environment, then device protection and sterility are improved, but tray size becomes too large for standard sealers and manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The long device is divided into two segments: the handle portion is sealed within the tray, while the shaft extends outside the sealed environment. This segmentation allows the tray to be a standard size compatible with conventional sealers while still providing sterile protection for the critical handle portion.
Solution Approach 2:
A seal structure with a seal member is introduced as an intermediary element at the tray opening. This seal member creates a barrier that maintains sterility for the handle while allowing the shaft to extend outward, effectively mediating between the sealed and unsealed environments.
2Reliability
If trays are made large enough to accommodate both handle and shaft, then complete device protection is improved, but tray size exceeds standard sealer capacity requiring specialized equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing system is segmented into a standard tray portion that interfaces with conventional sealers and a separate seal structure that provides the barrier function. This allows the use of standard sealing equipment rather than requiring specialized large-capacity sealers.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal structure serves multiple functions: it maintains sterility, accommodates the extending shaft, and interfaces with standard sealing equipment. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for specialized equipment while achieving complete device protection.
3Reliability
If trays are made large to accommodate long devices, then sterility protection is improved, but tray portability and handling become cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates the sterile containment function (handled by the compact tray) from the device extension function (handled by the external shaft). This allows the tray to remain small and portable while still providing complete sterility protection for the critical portions.
Data Source
AI summary
In one example, a sterile container may include a tray having a plurality of walls at least partially defining a cavity. At least one of the plurality of walls may include an opening extending therethrough. The sterile container may further include a seal structure coupled to the tray. At least a portion of the seal structure may be received within the opening of the at least one of the plurality of walls. Additionally, the sterile container may include an extension structure coupled to the seal structure.